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SLOVAKIA - The Fatra

Nature of Velka Fatra Mountain

Area of Velka Fatra mountain spreading in a triangle among the towns of Ruzomberok, Banska Bystrica, Martin offers a beautiful nature scenery as well as romantic rocky valleys such as Gaderska, Blatnicka or Harmanecka valleys. This large mountain placed in the central part of Slovakia is 45 km long and 16 to 22 km wide with the total area of 780 km2. On the eastern side is defined by Low Tatra mountains, Liptov Valley and Chocz Peaks, on the northern side by Orava highlands and Mala Fatra mountain, on the western side by Turcianska valley and on the southern side by Kremnicke Peaks and Starohorske peaks. The highest peak of Velka Fatra mountain is Ostredok (1592 m). The mountain is one of the most important location from the turism point of view. The most visited places are Ľubochnianska, Blatnická, Gaderská, Necpalská, Belianska and Žarnovická valley. Slopes of Malinné, Krížna nad Tureckou and Zvolen belong among the best ski resorts in Slovakia. The local nature is protected by the law since 1973 and in 2002 it was announced for a national park. Most of the area is covered by woods, locally, mostly in the end of valleys, covered by primeval forests. The typical tree is yew with the highest density around village of Harmanec with about 160 000 pieces.. Vast woods are home of many animals as for example dears, wild boars, bears, wolfs or lynxes. Velka Fatra mountain is also hiding an underground natural treasure in a form of caves. There are 5 recorded caving systems, the biggest is Harmanec cave,2763 m long.

Settlement in Velka Fatra mountain

Velka Fatra mountain has been inhabited already by sapients. The excavations from Horna Tufna cave are dated to the older stone age. The present look of mountain was formed during the valach settlement between 15 th – 17 th century. Especially because of sheep and cattle rearing the grass lands were created on the mountain crests. The other fact creating present look was mining industry developing during the 15 th century. The German settlement was taking place in this era. The mining industry was connected to metallurgy and coal industry. A bigger attention to a nature protection stared being paid in the 19 th century. Human settlements were built mainly on the borders of present national park.

Attractions in neighbourhood:

Donovaly

It is a mountain recreational village (850 m) situated in the eastern part of Velka Fatra mountain, spread out on a large saddle on the main road from the city of Banská Bystrica to Ružomberok. It is an important centre for summer and winter recreation.
Small villages were arising in the region already in the 17th century and at the beginning of the 18th century the village Donovaly was founded on the territory belonging to the mining administration of Banská Bystrica. It became an administrative centre of mining village (the first written reference about the village is from the year 1710) and its dwellers worked in the forests and at the railways of Horehronie. During the Second World War, it was a centre of partisans and refugees. From there out, they were going eastwards, on the crest of Low Tatras.
You can find here a church built in the classical style originating from 1825 with original inner arrangement, and many rustic houses with glassed verandas. The verandas were equalised to the level of the terrain with the cellars.
The village successively became very attractive for tourists seeking for winter and summer sports. We can find here 11 km of downhill ski tracks, 25 km of jogging tracks, chair lifts and a lot of facilities for hiking and recreation.

Malinné

Malinne is a recreation centre and an important point of junction. You can reach it comfortably by a cableway from Hrabov. If you travel during winter you won´t be disappointed. There are some ski-tows with maintained down-hill courses.

Turecka

The village of Turecka is situated 17 km northwest from Banska Bystrica. It is located in Velka Fatra mountain, on the foot of Krizna massif which is 1574 m high. The village itself is placed 610 metres above-sea-level. The position of Turecka is very advantageous for summer and winter tourism and offers a few facilities for various sporting activities The latest tradition of the village is the World Championship related to the traditional Slovak food "bryndzove halusky". The competitors are cooking and eating this food and the best one is awarded with a prestigious prize

Harmanec cave

Situated in the Harmanecka valley, in southern part of Velka Fatra mountain, to the northwest of Banska Bystrica. It was formed in the Middle Triassic limestones by the ancient paleoflow, at two developmental levels. The overall length of the cave is about 2,763 m. The cave is known for a rich occurrence of white soft sinter. Mighty pagoda-like stalagmites, sinter waterfalls, draperies and sinter pools can easily catch your eyes. The cave shelters 9 species of bats with the dominant Myotis myotis - having the colony of about 1,000 members. Its winter colony ranks among the most important ones in Slovakia. The entrance space called Izbica (Little Chamber) has been known to the locals since the ancient times. Farther spaces were discovered in 1932. Since 1950, accessible to the public are 720 m.

Jasenska valley

Jasenska dolina is one of the best known valleys in the Veľká Fatra mountain. It lies 12 km to the south-east of Martin. It is well-known and frequented by visitors all the year round. Recently the ski fans appreciate mainly the ski center of KAŠOVÁ. The ski resort LEHOTA lies in the middle part of the Jasenská dolina valley (1 km to the east of the resort KAŠOVÁ). Its terrains are frequented mainly by advanced skiers